Page 57 of Rewrite the Rules

“Your sex life is that big of a deal to your friends?”

“Uh…no?”

“Did they know I’d be here?”

“No. It’s Friday. It’s samosas, sangria, andSex and the Citynight.”

“I was kind of hoping to have sex in the city tonight,” I tease. Actually, I’m still hoping she’ll let me pull her panties to the side and ride me like a Harley on a bumpy road. But Adler’s body relaxes. The tension strewed across her back from her excitement—gone. Tonight is at a dead end.

“Andthe city. It’sSex and the City, notinthe city.”

“Baby, it’s just a joke.”

Adler flinches at my word choice. I’m unzipped, and still sporting a partial on her couch, but apparently ‘baby’ is crossing the line.

“Do you want me to leave?”

She nods slowly. “Kinda. Sorry.”

I want her so bad, but I think right now she very badly wants to explain herself to her friends. “All right. But I’m going to go home and make a very long list of all the ways I want you to make this up to me.”

“You got it, boss.”

She nuzzles my nose and then reaches behind her to grab my glasses. She places them back on my face, careful not to poke me in the eye. “How much can you see without these on?” Adler teeters her head from side to side, looking at me like a curious puppy.

“I’ll tell you what. Why don’t you take them off, strip down, and go stand over there naked. Let’s see if I can paint you a word picture.” I point to the far corner of the room.

“Ha!”

My glasses and contacts help my eyes from straining too much. They are mostly preventative. I will surely be nearsighted by the time I’m fifty, but for now I can see Adler’s perfect red-rose pouty lips curl into my favorite smile with or without my frames.

She climbs off of me carefully and I rise to compose myself. I zip and button my jeans as I follow her to the door.

“I’ll tell everyone you said hi.”

“What? I’ll at least introduce myself on the way out. Wouldn’t it be rude if I didn’t?” I’m not sure what I could’ve possibly said to make Adler’s cheeks flush scarlet, but her eyes pop wide open in surprise and she stares at me like I just told her I wanted to head down to the river and drown some kittens.

“You want to meet my friends?”

“Yes?”

Her gaze shifts left and right nervously. She shrugs in a ‘what the hell’ fashion before opening the door. All three ladies are sitting, backs against the wall, patiently waiting to be admitted into the apartment. They stop conversing and stand up when they see us.

“Guys, this is Joel Lewis. My boss…and my friend. Joel, this is Quinn Sabin, Reese Reyes, and Noa Fallon.”

“Good evening, ladies. Sorry to interrupt your girls’ night.” I try to sound charming. These women are my judge and jury. One wrong word from any of them and Adler will probably drop me like a bad habit. I know how girl groups work. “Please don’t be offended by me doing this…”

Adler shoots me a panicked look, unaware of what I mean. I hold up my finger and point from the left to right at the women in front of me.

“Sporty Spice, Scary Spice, and Posh Spice. Did I get that right? Also, do you ladies happen to have a redheaded friend who is missing tonight?”

“He knows Mani?” The girl named Noa outs Adler who is flushing in wild embarrassment.

Ha!I turn to Adler. “Knew it. Ginger Spice does exist.”

“Addie told you about her Spice Girlsobsession?” Reese’s brow arches. “You’re close. I’m actually Posh, Noa’s Sporty.”

“I have to ask—”

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